Electronic device

Abstract

When a standby state is released, the attitude detector detects its own attitude, and a display style of key identification images assigned to the respective input keys and an image to be displayed on the display unit is determined based on the detection result. Then, set values fitting the display style are read from a display table and a key arrangement table, and switching of control is performed. Next, when switching of control is determined to be completed, the key identification images and output image are displayed in the set display style, and the display direction is optimized. Thus, the display style of the key identification images that are indicators for identifying input keys and the output image displayed on the display unit is automatically optimized according to the attitude.

1 . An electronic device which comprises: a key identification image display unit displaying key identification images for identifying input keys; one or a plurality of key tops arranged on said key identification image display unit and formed so that a display shown by said key identification display unit is visible; and a control unit for causing key identification images for identifying said respective key tops to be displayed on said key identification image display unit according to positions where said respective key tops are arranged on said key identification image display unit and for performing a process according to information inputted by pushing said key top, said electronic device further comprising an attitude detector for detecting its own attitude, 
 wherein said control unit sets a display style of said key identification images based on detection result of said attitude detector, and displays said key identification images in the set display style.    
   
   
       2 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said attitude detector comprises: 
 at least one electrode connected to a power source;    a conductive movable piece moving in a movable range in which it is capable of coming into contact with said electrode, according to a change of the attitude; and    a detection circuit for detecting a conductive state between said electrode and said movable piece,    whereby said attitude detector detects its own attitude based on said conductive state detected by said detection circuit.    
   
   
       3 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a memory for storing a plurality of sets of corresponding relationship between said respective key tops and key identification images assigned to said respective key tops, which prescribe display styles of said key identification images, 
 wherein said control unit selects one set of corresponding relationship stored in said memory based on the detection result of said attitude detector, and sets a display style of said key identification images according to the selected corresponding relationship.    
   
   
       4 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising a touch panel including said key identification image display unit and said key tops placed on said key identification image display unit.  
   
   
       5 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said key identification image display unit is a liquid crystal panel.  
   
   
       6 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an output image display unit for displaying an output image outputted based on information inputted by pushing said key top, 
 wherein said control unit generates said output image based on said information inputted by pushing said key top, sets a display style of said output image on said output image display unit based on said detection result of said attitude detector, and displays the generated output image in the set display style on said output image display unit.    
   
   
       7 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said attitude detector comprises: 
 at least one electrode connected to a power source;    a conductive movable piece moving in a movable range in which it is capable of coming into contact with said electrode, according to a change of its own attitude; and    a detection circuit for detecting a conductive state between said electrode and said movable piece,    whereby said attitude detector detects its own attitude based on said conductive state detected by said detection circuit.    
   
   
       8 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein, when said detection circuit detects that said electrode and said movable piece are conductive state, said control unit sets a display style of said key identification images and said output image so that said key identification images and said output image are displayed on said key identification image display unit and said output image display unit, respectively, in a predetermined positional relationship.  
   
   
       9 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein, when said detection circuit detects that said electrode and said movable piece are not conductive state, said control unit sets a display style of said key identification images and said output image so that said key identification images and said output image are displayed on said key identification image display unit and said output image display unit, respectively, in a positional relationship different from said predetermined positional relationship.  
   
   
       10 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising a memory for storing a plurality of sets of corresponding relationship between said respective key tops and key identification images assigned to said respective key tops, which prescribe display styles of said key identification images, 
 wherein said control unit selects one set of corresponding relationship stored in said memory based on the detection result of said attitude detector, and sets a display style of said key identification images according to the selected corresponding relationship.    
   
   
       11 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said display style of said output image is regulated by rotating, enlarging or reducing said output image.  
   
   
       12 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising a touch panel including said key identification image display unit and said key tops placed on said key identification image display unit.  
   
   
       13 . The electronic device as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said key identification image display unit is a liquid crystal panel.